The Rim Fire Is 81% Contained
Tuolumne County, CA – The acreage remains the same, but the containment has gone up slightly. The Rim Fire is now 81% contained and still remains 255,858 acres or 400 square miles. The number of firefighters on the scene has dropped to 1,935 while the cost has shot up to $111.3 million. The number of structures threatened is down to 438.
Incident Command Spokesperson Linda Parker says, “The firefighters have been working and focusing their efforts in the southeast corner of the fire near Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. Their work in patrolling and mopping up and monitoring the containment line there has raised the confidence level there that we can now consider that area to be contained.”
Also at Noon today, Highway 120/Tioga Road reopened to traffic. The roadway had been shutdown from Crane Flat Road to White Wolf Road within the Park. Motorists can drive to the Yosemite Valley from Highway 395 via Highway 120. However, Park Officials say due to fire activity in the area stopping along the roadway is strictly prohibited. They warn the public to use extreme caution as firefighting activities continue in the area and visibility may be reduced due to smoke.
Here is the update directly from incident Command on the Rim Fire suppression efforts:
Fire Update:
Today, fire resources held and improved containment lines. Pockets of vegetation continued to burn within the fire’s interior. Tonight, crews will continue to patrol, mop-up, and monitor the fire perimeter. Click here for a Google map tour of the current fire situation.
Public Safety:
Anyone traveling on roads within the fire area should use extreme caution as fire personnel and equipment continue to work in the area. Hazards include smoke, weakened trees that may fall, and hot burning stump holes. If you must drive through the fire area please do not stop, leave the roadway, or enter the burned area on foot.
Park and Forest Closures:
Tamarack Flat, Yosemite Creek, and White Wolf Campgrounds, and White Wolf Lodge along Tioga Road remain closed. The Stanislaus National Forest issued an updated Rim Fire Area Closure for the Groveland and Mi-Wok Ranger Districts. The areas in the north section of the forest were opened earlier this week to allow access to the Crabtree Road area.
Road Openings:
Evergreen Road is open to Evergreen Lodge. Hwy 120 is open. The Big Oak Flat Road is open to Yosemite Valley. Local businesses are open and providing services (gasoline, food and lodging) for travelers.
Road Closures:
Cherry Lake Road is closed at Hwy 120. Old Yosemite and Hardin Flat Roads are closed. Some secondary roads within the fire area remain closed to non-residents.
